Finding Dory - 4 Stars

Maybe I’m just overly nostalgic, but this family film is emotional, heartwarming and so much fun!

When Dory suddenly remembers that she has a family out there who may be looking for her, she takes off on a life-changing adventure across the ocean to California's prestigious Marine Life Institute, a rehabilitation centre and aquarium.

The sequel to the 2003 Disney/Pixar smash-hit, Finding Nemo is in a word, perfect. Like the majority of Disney/Pixar films it can appeal to people of all ages, due to its layered messages and emotional intelligence that is lacking in most “adult” films. The script by Andrew Stanton and Victoria Strouse is excellent - there’s witty jokes, memorable taglines and some very well scripted emotionally confrontational scenes too.

The animation is what really brings the story to life though, this movie looks exquisite. Animation has come a long way since 2003, so there are some differences in the film’s overall look. However, the animating team have done a great job, so the minor differences shouldn’t upset fans of the first film.

The voice cast is much expanded since the first film, with a wealth of new characters being introduced. The stand out is Ed O’Neil who’s octopus is delightful. Ellen DeGeneres is great as Dory, but due to how unique and iconic her voice has become it can be hard to remember she isn’t hosting a chat show. Albert Brooks and Hayden Rolence reprise their roles from the first film, and deliver wonderful performances.

Overall this is a wonderful family film, with a beautifully crafted script, layered story, great performances and visually stunning animation. People both young and old can enjoy this latest Disney/Pixar offering.